Post Abortion Care in Ghana, A Case Study of Tema General Hospital Tema

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Every year, an estimated 78,000 women die from complications of induced abortions and 95% of the deaths related to induced abortion occur in under-developed countries. Unsafe abortion is on the rise and it accounts for an estimated 13% of pregnancy related deaths representing approximately 67,000 women every year .The available data on abortion suggest that overall worldwide abortion rate has declined, whereas the proportion of unsafe abortion has increased. Post Abortion Care is defined as an approach for reducing mortality and morbidity from incomplete and unsafe abortion and resulting complications and for improving women‘s sexual and reproductive health, it has been identified as a key strategy by the international health community at the ICPD conference in 1994 to reduce maternal mortality in developing countries. The aim of this study is to identify the barriers to safe abortion care and post abortion care utilization, ascertain the level of awareness on Ghana‘s abortion law, available services and post abortion care services provided in the country among women of reproductive age visiting the Tema General hospital. METHOD A cross-sectional survey was used to obtain quantitative data among the study population of 150 women of reproductive age (14yrs - 49yrs) and key informant interview, additionally using qualitative method of data collection; data were obtained from 10 key informants who were hospital staff. Participants were selected using simple random sampling technique from both outpatient department and obstetrics and gynaecological ward daily register. RESULTS 65.3% had received post abortion care; whilst 34.7% had not received post abortion care. The mean age was 27 years. Knowledge on Ghana‘s abortion law was very low at 15%, the quality of service offered was low as it was more curative than preventive, was significant at 0.005, fear(30.7%), unfriendly attitude of healthcare providers(58%), the high cost of services (54%) and religious belief (58.7%) were the barriers identified all significant at 0.005. CONCLUSION The poor service provided was a major contributor to receivers of post abortion care defaulting and going in for unsafe abortion. Health facilities providing post abortion care service should endeavor to practice preventive measures more than curative.